Driver escapes car that bursts into flames

WORCESTER — A driver suffered burns on his fingers Tuesday when his car burst into flames downtown.

The man, whose name was not available, was driving a Saab down Pleasant Street around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday when a fire started in the back, according to Fire Lt. Stephen Connole.

"The operator said he was driving along and suddenly there was a flame in the back of the car," Lt. Connole said. "Then he pulled to the curb, and by the time he got out of the car, the whole car was going."

Lt. Connole said the driver suffered some burns on his fingers from trying to put the fire out. The driver was taken to a local hospital.

The car, which was parked at 86 Pleasant St., was engulfed in flames, and black clouds of smoke could be seen well above the Worcester skyline, making the fire look worse than it actually was.